Picnic Spots

Relax and take in the calm and breath taking landscapes and scenery of Coffs Coast. A picnic is the perfect way to unwind and let the stresses of the world slowly fade away in the horizon. Below are some of the popular picnic spots in the Coffs Coast area.

 

 

About 20km south of Coffs Harbour is a picturesque creek-side picnic area, nestled in the heart of Bongil Bongil National Park. Bonville Creek is ideal for kayaking, canoeing and fishing, and you may go for a wander along the park’s trails. The picnic area has barbecue facilities, a large undercover area, open tables and plenty of grass. Access the park by turning east off the Pacific Highway into Williams Road at Bonville.

The village of Mylestom is wedged on a narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Bellinger River. Take the scenic drive south from Repton following the broad river and park at the southern end of River Street or just around the corner between the general store/fish & chips shop and the park on George Street. The park has a children’s playground, picnic tables and toilet facilities. More picnic tables are found on a strip of grass right along the beautiful, deep-blue river. You’ll enjoy the most stunning, expansive views over the water towards the mountains. Bring your swimmers or a fishing rod and don’t forget your camera.

Urunga is the place where the Kalang and Bellinger Rivers meet each other and flow into the ocean. Adjacent to the rivers’ estuary is Morgo Street Reserve where you can enjoy the picnic you brought or something you’ve bought from some of the little shops or cafés in the compact town centre just a stone’s throw away. There are picnic tables, toilet facilities and plenty of parking. Make sure to walk through or around the holiday park and take a stroll along the scenic 600m boardwalk that runs through the estuary to the sea. Keep an eye out for fish, crabs and other shellfish in the shallow waters and you’ll also see a variety of waterbirds. The boardwalk has interpretive panels about the area’s history and local flora and fauna.

When you’re in Bellingen, a great spot for a leisurely picnic is Jarrett Park along the Bellinger River, adjacent to the bridge over the river in the centre of town. Or cross the bridge and find a spot on the grass on the opposite side of the river. Bring a blanket and a selection of delicious morsels from some of the cafés, bakeries or organic produce stores in nearby Hyde or Church Streets and you’re all set. If it’s warm, why not take a refreshing dip in the river to cool off?

One of the most magical places for a secluded picnic is the Never Never River in an area called Promised Land near Glennifer, a 10-minute drive north from Bellingen. Park your car at Arthur Keough Park on the north bank of the Never Never River and roll out your picnic blanket anywhere on the pebbles or grass beside the water. You won’t be able to resist taking off your shoes and wading around the shallow parts of the crystal clear river. The cool, pure water is great for a swim too on a hot summer’s day, so don’t forget to pack your swimmers.

There is a variety of picnic spots to choose from in the Dorrigo National Park . You could use the picnic table right outside the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre, but just 1km down the road (or via a walking track) is The Glade Picnic Area with picnic tables, toilet facilities, and easy access to several short rainforest trails. A scenic 10km drive further along (unsealed) Dome Road will bring you to a more remote spot, the Never Never Picnic Area, the starting point of a few longer bushwalks. In all of these spots, you’ll find yourself immersed in an extraordinary subtropical rainforest environment. Bring your own refreshments or stop at the Rainforest Centre’s Canopy Café along the way.

The seaside town of Woolgoolga has a wonderful beachside reserve at the end of Beach Street, adjacent to the caravan park. Just opposite the road from the shops, you’ll find picnic tables, shelters, toilet and shower facilities and immediate access to the beach. Or park at the end of Ocean Street and find a sheltered spot on Woolgoolga Headland for a picnic with the most amazing ocean views. Look out for migrating humpback whales between June and November.

Just west of Woolgoolga in Sherwood Nature Reserve is the Woolgoolga Creek picnic area. Sheltered picnic tables are available on an open spot between the trees where you can picnic or enjoy a barbecue. From the picnic area, a 1.5km trail leads you through the rainforest along the creek to a pretty waterfall. From the Pacific Highway at Woolgoolga, turn west into Woolgoolga Creek Road and drive 3km to reach the picnic area.

Coffs Coast’s northernmost village is quiet and picturesque Red Rock, a good half hour’s drive north of Coffs Harbour. Situated at the southern end of Yuraygir National Park, the village is nestled on the estuary of the pristine Red Rock River. The recreation reserve around the mouth of the river is a deservedly popular destination for picnics and as a base from which to go swimming, snorkelling or playing on the grass or sandy shores at low tide. Facilities include a caravan park and general/take-away shop, boat ramp, benches and picnic tables, amenities block and children’s playground. Don’t miss the 800m boardwalk that loops around through the mangroves just west of the boat ramp. It’ll show you some unique vegetation and a variety of interesting shorebirds.

A very beautiful, secluded picnic spot, for which you’ll need a 4WD to get there, is Bindarray Picnic Area in Bindarri National Park, 20km west of Coffs Harbour. ‘Bindarray’ means ‘many creeks’ in the local Gumbaynggir language. The recently opened picnic area sits on the banks of the stunning, crystal-clear Urumbilun River which is perfect for a revitalising swim. Take a short walk through the rainforest to see beautiful Bangalore Falls. The pristine location can be reached from Ulong via Corfes Road or from Dairyville via Pine Road. Both are unpaved, dry-weather roads.